AP Classroom Lang PPCs
The author italicizes the term "recent" (paragraph 2, sentence 2) primarily to emphasize that the End-Cretaceous mass extinction A. did not occur as long ago as most people think B. was less destructive than most people assume C. is more relevant than earlier mass extinctions D. is not as well documented as earlier mass extinctions E. is not as exceptional as its reputation might suggest
A
In the fourth sentence of the final paragraph, the author uses the word "calamity" primarily to A. indicate that he is exaggerating to produce a comic effect B. emphasize that economic downturns can be devastating to those affected by them C. arouse the audience's interest in an otherwise boring topic D. show that the consequences of isolated incidents can easily be overstated E. suggest that it is unusual for a turn of the market to be disastrous
B
Toward the middle of the second paragraph, the author uses the phrase "hawk-like features" in order to A. suggest that an emigrant's attractive appearance did not guarantee his success B. emphasize the ambitious character that he imagined emigrants possessed C. describe the physical characteristics of the emigrants he met aboard ship D. defend his view that emigrants are unusually courageous E. contrast older emigrants with the younger ones he encountered
B
In the context of his treatment of mass extinctions earlier in the passage, the author's remarks toward the middle of the fourth paragraph ("Rather . . . homegrown") offer a perspective that is A. mildly reassuring B. surprisingly complacent C. somewhat ironic D. rigorously scholarly E. thoroughly jaded
C
In the middle of the third paragraph, the author sets off the phrase "surely a product of coastal erosion and the grinding of surf" with em dashes primarily to A. insert a definition into her discussion of geological processes B. specify the time required for sand to be created by natural processes C. note why the location of the sand deposits is considered unusual D. counterbalance her use of interrogation marks in the following sentences E. admit that modern theories about the movement of tides explain the location of sand deposits
C
The writer wants to support the line of reasoning in the fifth paragraph (sentences 13-16) with a comment that reflects the complexity of the historical narrative in the passage's earlier paragraphs. Which version of the underlined text in sentence 14 (reproduced below) most effectively accomplishes this goal? However, the Sawyer homestead burned to the ground in 2007. A. (as it is now) B. Sawyer first made the claim at a fund-raiser, where she sold strands of wool from her pet lamb C. 60 years after her lamb's visit inspired Roulstone to write a poem, it is likely Sawyer conflated Roulstone's poem with Hale's D. Roulstone was visiting Sawyer's school that day and returned later to give her the poem E. Sawyer sincerely believed she was the Mary of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" until her death in 1889
C
In the context of the final paragraph, the author uses phrases such as "dull, distracted adults" and "soulless environment" primarily to explain why adults may be less perceptive readers of Rowling's books than children are A. explain why adults may be less perceptive readers of Rowling's books than children are B. respond to the objection that Rowling often misrepresents the adult world C. urge his audience to devote more time to reading children's literature D. remind his audience of the very different perspective that children might have of the adult world E. suggest that his audience might be projecting their own dissatisfaction with the adult world onto Rowling's work
D
In the second sentence of the second paragraph, the author uses an em dash to set off a list that A. emphasizes the global nature of the injustices he describes B. warns his audience against feeling complacent about past struggles C. indicates the extent of his personal engagement with various civil rights struggles around the world D. stimulates the audience's sympathy by referencing groups with whose struggles they are likely familiar E. encourage his audience to join a political movement by enumerating issues likely to engage their interest
D
In sentence 8 (reproduced below), the writer wants to limit the scope of the claim expressed in the sentence so that it is consistent with the main argument of the passage. The problem with most probiotic supplements is that no significant clinical trials have proven that they offer demonstrable benefits to the general public. Which of the following changes to sentence 8 best accomplishes this goal? A. Changing "problem" to "issue" B. Adding "clearly" before "significant" C. Changing "proven that they" to "been confirmed to" D. Adding "that can be observed clearly" after "benefits" E. Changing "the general public" to "people without gastrointestinal disorders"
E
In the third paragraph, which of the following best describes the author's perspective regarding orphan characters such as Harry Potter and Oliver Twist? A. While orphan characters share many literary influences, they ultimately owe their distinctive identities to their respective creators. B. Regardless of the different worlds inhabited by orphan characters, they are often equally popular with readers. C. Despite the unusual challenges faced by many orphan characters, they typically overcome them. D. Whereas many orphan characters have ideal qualities, modern readers no longer admire such perfection. E. Although orphan characters share a marginal social status, they may not be equally complex.
E
The writer wants to avoid expressing the argument of the passage in absolute terms. Which of the following changes should the writer make? A. In sentence 2, deleting "according to popular lore" and adjusting the punctuation as needed B. In sentence 4, adding "almost" before "everywhere" C. In sentence 5, changing "purported" to "talented" D. In sentence 10, deleting "which she no longer possessed, incidentally" and adjusting the punctuation as needed E. In sentence 16, changing "impossible" to "improbable"
E
